of a september slump as president obama with politics here in new york. jake tapper is here this morning. jake, the candidates were combative on "60 minutes." >> that's right, george, they're entering a new phase, the debate phase of the campaign. so right now, with the first debate coming up a week from wednesday, the candidates are looking for any edge to knock the other on his heels. >> reporter: mitt romney barn-storming battlegrounds, colorado, ohio and virginia, trying to regain momentum lost after a tough week on the trail. on the campaign plane overnight, romney was asked why he was trailing in so many battleground states. >> i think that the president's campaign has focused its advertising, in many cases, on very inaccurate portrayals of my positions. he's trying to fool people into thinking that i think things i don't. that ends, i think, during the debate. >> reporter: when he lands in ohio, tuesday, a brand-new tv ad from the obama campaign will greet him, assailing the republican for the hidden camera comments he made describing 47% of the country as irresponsible, government-depe
